“Feel free to continue chatting; I’ll go check on how the food is coming along,” Mother Tong said as she stood up.
Ye Linyuan also stood up.
“Auntie, I’ll help out.”
Tong Sinian watched Ye Linyuan head into the kitchen, astonished.
Once he confirmed Ye Linyuan couldn’t see them, he leaned closer to Tong Sui and whispered, “How can he cook?”
“He learned,” Tong Sui replied. “He cooks for me every day; his culinary skills are really good now! Brother, you’ll find out soon.”
Tong Sinian said nothing.
He recalled how in school, Ye Linyuan was strict about time management and scheduling, even setting time limits for meals.
Now he was spending time on something Tong Sinian once considered meaningless.
Wow, love is truly incredible.
The Tong family already had several cooks, so there was no need for Ye Linyuan or Mother Tong to lift a finger; the meals were ready.
They took their seats.
Ye Linyuan sat next to Tong Sui.
Mother Tong was completely smitten by Ye Linyuan, serving him food while revealing, “The friends Sui Sui dated in the past were all so unambitious; I never liked her hanging out with them.”
Ye Linyuan asked, “Oh really? Who did Sui Sui like to play with the most back then?”
Tong Sui felt a chill under Ye Linyuan’s gaze.
Seeing that Mother Tong was about to say more, he quickly interjected, “Mom, that’s all in the past.”
He feared that if Ye Linyuan listened further, it would provide fodder for teasing later that evening.
“Okay, okay, let’s not discuss that,” Mother Tong said with a smile directed at Ye Linyuan. “Sui Sui insisted on attending a military academy, but who would have thought she would make such an excellent friend?”
Ye Linyuan replied, “Is that so?”
Mother Tong continued, “Yes, we previously wanted her to go to a more relaxed comprehensive university, but she insisted on the military academy.”
“I see…”
Under the table where no one could see, Ye Linyuan quietly held Tong Sui’s hand.
Tong Sui was taken aback.
That hand, slightly calloused, began to inch closer, slowly squeezing between his fingers. This secret entanglement made Tong Sui feel flustered.
He gripped his spoon tightly, turning to look at Ye Linyuan several times.
Ye Linyuan’s hand under the table brushed against the delicate skin of his hand while he continued to chat calmly.
How could he be like this…
Tong Sui’s cheeks turned even redder.
He wanted to withdraw his hand but found it gripped tighter.
Mother Tong noticed Tong Sui at this moment. “Sui Sui, why is your face so red?”
Feeling guilty, Tong Sui lowered his head. “Maybe it’s too hot.”
“Really?”
Mother Tong observed the tightly buttoned collar of Tong Sui’s shirt. “You don’t have to dress so formally at home; loosen a button, it won’t be so hot.”
Tong Sui recalled the various kiss marks beneath the collar and hurriedly said, “It’s fine, I don’t feel that hot anymore.”
Ye Linyuan served him more food.
Tong Sui hastily buried his head into the meal as Mother Tong watched their interaction, smiling. “Xiaoyuan, do you have a boyfriend?”
“Cough—”
Tong Sui doubled over, coughing fiercely at such a blunt question.
Ye Linyuan calmly helped him out, “I already have one.”
He replied nonchalantly while passing his water to Tong Sui.
Mother Tong sighed, “That’s such a pity; I thought you were so outstanding, and you and Sui Sui are just perfect together.”
Tong Sinian, who had been silently watching, couldn’t take it anymore. “Mom, stop playing matchmaker. Can’t you see? They’re already together.”
Mother Tong’s eyes instantly lit up, as if she had just won the lottery. “Is that true?”
“Yes, I’m Sui Sui’s boyfriend.”
Tong Sui’s face flushed deeper; he couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment or choking on his food.
After dinner,
Mother Tong insisted on having Ye Linyuan stay. “You should stay in Sui Sui’s room tonight; don’t leave. If you need anything, just ask me.”
After a while, Mother Tong called Tong Sui downstairs alone.
She had a delicate little box in her hand.
Tong Sinian watched, “Mom, you’ve only met him once; are you really going to give him this pendant? Isn’t this for your future daughter-in-law?”
“So you know about this too,” Mother Tong said, giving him a light smack. “Your brother has found someone he likes; what about you? Don’t you feel ashamed celebrating Singles’ Day every year?”
Tong Sinian clicked his tongue. “Do you really think they’re a good match? Ye Linyuan’s personality is so cold; aren’t you worried about your precious daughter being bullied?”
“Cold? All I know is he cares for his brother much more than you do,” Mother Tong stated. “When he was helping in the kitchen, he remembered exactly what Sui Sui likes to eat, and this isn’t something someone can do without being attentive.”
Tong Sinian fell silent.
When Tong Sui went downstairs, Mother Tong opened the box she was holding.
Inside was an impeccably beautiful pendant.
“Here, take this,” Mother Tong handed it over to Tong Sui. “Give this to Xiaoyuan. I’ve transferred some money to your account, so take him out and have some fun.”
The next day,
Tong Sui took Ye Linyuan to the nearest amusement park.
The park was crowded, and they entered with the throng of people.
Tong Sui pondered what rides to try.
Ye Linyuan had changed into a more casual outfit.
If it weren’t for Tong Sui wanting to come here, he wouldn’t have had any interest in such places.
It was crowded and noisy.
The so-called thrilling attractions were far less intense than his daily training.
Ye Linyuan looked down at Tong Sui’s hand resting by his side, ready to touch it when suddenly someone called out from behind, “Tong Sui!”
Tong Sui turned around.
Duan Jiamu and Jiang Che approached them. “What a coincidence! We’re organizing an event with the club today. Who would have thought we’d run into each other here?”
Subscribe
Login
0 Comments